Just a note: I wouldn't normally think about putting an entry like this on the site, but when Earl told me about this guy's harem of over 20 wives, I let him have a go at it...Don't worry, just a momentary lapse of normalcy.
- Steve
When Spin magazine recently named its 50 Greatest Bands of All-Time, many in
the O&A army wondered how Fela Kuti and his bands Africa 70 and Egypt 80
made the cut - particularly when bands like Aerosmith, Van Halen and Rush
were left off the list. But if were to listen to 'The Best Best Of Fela
Kuti' (don't ask me why it's called 'Best Best'), you may change your mind.
Whether you know it or not, without Fela, bands such as Public Enemy, Rage
Against The Machine and even The Dave Matthews Band probably would've
existed. By combining African rhythms, James Brown's horn driven funk, and
Pan-African politics, Fela was as big, if not more so, than his
contemporaries Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley were in the late 70's. How
important? His songs were so politically charged that it caused riots and
he was jailed and beaten on numerous occasions for his political stances.
The funeral was attended by over a million people and his family received
letters of condolence from government leaders worldwide. Did I mention that
he had twenty-seven wives and started his own country? You could make a
movie about this guy!
Spread out over two CDs, 'Best Best of Fela Kuti', is an excellent primer
for someone who wants to learn more about the founder of Afro-pop. MCA has
also reissued all of Fela's CDs if you want to explore his music further.
Later this year, the next 'Red Hot' CD, 'Red Hot & Riot' will have artists
such as The Roots, D'Angelo, and Macy Gray covering Fela's music so if you
didn't know about Fela, you will be shortly. Be sure to give it a listen.
